"I thought the key was that we defended them, probably as well as we have since we've been in the league," Samford head coach Mike Morris said. "We had a lot of things that didn't go our way, but I was very pleased with how our team responded."

The win was the fourth-straight for the Bulldogs as they improve to 9-7 overall and 6-1 in Southern Conference play. With Chattanooga's win at Davidson Friday night, Samford moves into a tie for first place in the league standings.

Samford held Western Carolina to just 25.0 percent shooting overall and 26.3 percent from three-point range. Samford made 35.9 percent of its shots overall and 31.3 percent of its attempts from three-point range. Western Carolina outrebounded Samford, 45-27.

The win marks the fourth time this season Samford has held an opponent under 40 points. In all nine wins so far this season, the Bulldogs have held their opponents under 50 points.

Individually for Samford, sophomore Taylor Reece led the way with 14 points and six rebounds. Senior Jazmine Martin had 13 points, while senior Hannah Dawson led the team in rebounding with nine to go along with her five points.

Western Carolina was led by Rena Wakama with 12 points. Lindsay Simpson added seven points for the Catamounts.

In the first half, the teams traded baskets for the first several minutes until, with Samford leading, 9-7, the Bulldogs went on a 9-3 run to take an 18-10 lead with 8:13 to go in the half after a three-pointer by Keke Fletcher. Samford eventually built its lead to nine points at 21-12 with 5:11 to go in the half after a three-pointer by Martin.

Western Carolina cut the lead to six points at 21-15 with 3:42 to go in the half after a three-pointer by Makensey Campbell. Samford took a 24-17 lead into halftime.

In the second half, Western Carolina cut the Samford lead to four points on three different occasions early in the half, but Samford was able to answer each time to maintain its lead. The Catamounts cut the Bulldog lead to just three points at 32-29 with 6:13 left after a free throw by Wakama.

Samford, however, answered with a 6-0 run to push its lead back out to nine points at 38-29 with 2:56 to go after a jumper by Reece. WCU scored the next five points to cut the lead back to four points at 38-34 with 2:01 left after a pair of free throws by Janae' McKinney.

Reece and Martin each hit four free throws down the stretch to help Samford extend its lead. The Bulldogs eventually came away with a nine-point victory, winning by a score of 47-38.

Samford will return to action on Sunday, Jan. 20, when the Bulldogs play at Davidson in a key SoCon matchup. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CT) start from Davidson's Belk Arena.